Brahmacharya/Cold Water & Pranic/Cosmic Energy
Question
Hello there :)
I was reading earlier in your posts you said cold water has immense Pranic energy or natural cosmic energy filled by Mother Nature. When you heat water this gets destroyed.
My question is does this mean the water would have to be all the way on cold? to where I'm freezing? but don't get me wrong I just tried that today . I started off with a warm to hot shower for about 7 minutes and then changed it to completely cold and felt an exhilarating energy boost and an energy spark up my spine! & only had it on cold for a few seconds then quickly turned it off!. & I don't regret it either . I never felt better coming out of the shower in great mood like that after 5 seconds of a cold shower!.
I don't know what It is but am I suppose to start with a cold shower and end with cold or will a spark do?
p.s
Another thing I wanted to ask about that; should I wait until it's been at least a full month Unbroken Brahmacharya to take pure cold showers because you mentioned that ones body becomes more heated during the practice of Brahmacharya; & I kinda thought cold water would be nothing to my body by then!.
Thanks!
Answer
Hello Pikkon,
Good to know of your interest as regards Brahmacharya. Coming to the queries,
Q1: What is the significance of a cold water bath to the Brahmachari?
A: As mentioned in earlier posts, water in its default form available in nature has abundant 'Prana' or life energy derived from the universal energy in the cosmos. Heating water destroys this energy. The amount of energy lost from water depends on the temperature to which it is heated. The higher the temperature of water, the greater is the loss of Prana. The use of this energy for one's benefit is a technique that the Brahmachari can employ to increase the level of 'Prana' (life force) within his body and thereby aid Brahmacharya. Practice of Brahmacharya by way of transmutation of semen into higher forms of energy makes the level of Prana within one's body gradually increase. However, it is to be noted that sublimation and transmutation of the vital essence via meditation is also accompanied by an increase in body heat.
The following are the primal benefits that can be derived through cold water baths (unheated water):
1. Cools the body by annulling the heat generated from within due to continuous sublimation further to long hours of meditation.
2. Neutralizes the 'heat' produced by sexual undercurrents. Excess sexual energy that is left over even after transmutation, especially when one is a beginner and is still learning the process of sublimation can be negated and stilled to a large extent by a cold water shower or bath.
3. Infuses the body with 'fresh' prana (life energy) from the cosmos. The pranic energy available in the cosmos is extremely potent and powerful. It has the power of energizing and mobilizing a person from tiredness and exhaustion.
4. Soothes the nervous system and helps one get out of slumber, sleep, stupor and related states of inertia which if left unattended can trigger lust and passion.
Keeping these reasons in mind, cold water baths are of high value to the celibate. A hip bath (In a tub of cold water up to the waist) is very useful in cooling the reproductive organs and warding off sexual arousal when troubled by lust.
Q2: What should be the temperature of 'cold' bath water?
A: It is recommended to avoid 'extremely cold' or freezing water and limit one's exposure to moderately cold water or water at room temperature. The act of bathing in cold water must be an enjoyable, refreshing and energizing experience and not a 'shocking and chilling experience! Extremely cold or freezing water can have a negative effect on the nerves and skin and cause undesirable effects. Moderation is the key here and extremes are to be avoided. An effective yardstick as regards temperature would be to use water that is hovering around the room temperature or a few degrees lower and not more.
Cold showers can be taken right from the start of Brahmacharya. It takes a few days to get used to cold water as a bathing medium, following which the activity becomes enjoyable and refreshing. It is inadvisable to bathe in cold water when one has a fever or some other illness.
God bless and have a nice day :-)
Dhananjay